Flagler College's Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews research with human participants to ensure the research is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Common Rule regulations.
The Federalwide Assurance Agency (FWA) stipulates that all research projects involving human participants must be reviewed and approved by the IRB before any study activities begin, such as recruitment or data collection.
Information about Flagler College's IRB application and procedures can be found in the following places:
The Flagler College IRB Website contains information available to the public, such as contact information, timelines, FAQs, Application Forms, etc.
IRB Canvas Course is home to education and training. Here, you'll find the Human Subjects Ethics Training necessary for engaging in research with human participants. Additionally, you'll find a host of other resources, such as sample consent forms and a Word version of the online application, to allow you to draft your response before completing the application online.
Go to the Canvas Self-Enroll Page
The IRB Application is completed using Qualtrics. The application includes pre-screening questions to help you determine if IRB is required and screening to determine which level of IRB review (exempt-, expedited-, or full-board). This online application will display only questions appropriate for your proposal.
Important Information
Important Information
Applications are reviewed on a revolving basis throughout the fall and spring semesters. Limited review (i.e., Exempt and Expedited) is available during Summer A. Full board reviews are completed only during the fall and spring semesters only.
For exempt and expedited applications, investigators can expect to receive initial feedback within 15 working days. Submissions for full board review must be received two weeks before the regularly scheduled full board meeting.
The full Board meets monthly. See the schedule below.
Fall 2024
Noon - 1:45 p.m.
Sept. 4
Oct. 2
Nov. 6
Dec. 4
Spring 2025
TBA
Under certain circumstances, IRB review may not be necessary for class research projects designed to help students develop specific skills related to the course. These projects are not intended to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.
Instructors are responsible for ensuring that class projects are completed ethically, so as to protect participants, even when a project does not require IRB review.
For class projects that do not require IRB review, Instructors should complete the pre-screening questions in Qualtrics to document review is not necessary.
In order for classroom projects to avoid IRB review, the following conditions must be met:
- Projects are not presented outside the classroom in any form.
- Do not include sensitive topics.
- Do not target vulnerable populations.
- Do not carry more than minimal risk to participants.
Even when an IRB review is not required, all research personnel should take human-subjects ethics training, which is available on the Flagler College IRB Canvas page.
After approval has been granted, certain conditions may require additional IRB attention. Forms are available in IRB Canvas to assist you. A few conditions that may require IRB attention are:
Reportable Events If there are unanticipated problems or incidents that suggest that the research protocols outlined in the IRB application may place participants or others at a greater risk of harm (including physical, psychological, social, economic, legal, or informational harm) than was previously known, STOP DATA COLLECTION.
Such incidents must be reported to the IRB within three days of the event. See the Canvas IRB page for the Reportable Event form.
Modifications to your application IRB approval must be granted before you implement any modifications to research that was previously approved. An exception is made when modification is necessary due to an immediate hazard to the research participants. See the Canvas IRB page for the Modification form.
Additional Personnel People added to the project after IRB approval was granted (e.g.; new research assistants, new Co-PI, etc. )
Continuing Review A continuing review is necessary if the research study is not completed before the IRB approval expiration date. You should file for continuing review at least one month before the expiration date of the current IRB approval. See the Canvas IRB page for the Continuing Review form.
If you have questions or comments, you can email us below.
General questions: IRB@flagler.edu
Email Dr. Angi Semegon: ASemegon@flagler.edu
Email Dr. Paige Chapman: PChapman@flagler.edu